Microsoft Corp. and Cisco® today announced that they intend to work
together to offer Windows Server 2008 with Cisco WAN optimization in a
solution for branch office environments. Cisco will embed a
virtualization component within its Wide-Area Application Services
(WAAS) appliance family that will help customers to host Windows Server
2008 services within their existing network infrastructure for branch
offices.

The two companies intend for Cisco to offer Windows Server 2008
pre-installed on its new virtualized Cisco WAAS appliances that are
scheduled to be available later this year. To optimize the value of
this solution for customers, the two companies plan to test and
validate the resulting architectures for the remote information
technology (IT) infrastructure in the branch office and to offer
customers joint support. In addition, Cisco and Microsoft plan to work
together to promote awareness of the integrated solution among channel
resellers and customers by offering business frameworks and marketing
programs.

“Extending our collaboration with Cisco to integrated solutions
for branch offices presents an exciting opportunity for our customers
and for Microsoft and Cisco,” said Bob Muglia, senior vice president,
Server and Tools Business division at Microsoft. “The technologies
announced today will help boost performance and availability by making
critical Windows Server 2008 services available to remote offices
through integration with Cisco’s WAAS solution.”

To read the full press release, please click here: http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2008/feb08/02-26WS08WAASPR.mspx

For
more on this announcement, please visit the Windows Server Team blog:
http://blogs.technet.com/windowsserver/archive/2008/02/26/check-out-the-latest-branch-solution-powered-by-windows-server-2008.aspx